While 3D printing has yet to fully prove itself to some people, that doesn’t stop scientists from pushing on with 4D printing—a similar process that creates objects able to transform themselves over time. Now, a Harvard lab has produced these delicate folding flowers using the approach.

A new grant from the U.S. Army Research Office will split $855,000 between three research teams working on so-called "4D printing." By military budget standards, that’s chump change—but it hints at a huge future for a technology that’s been lingering on the horizon for years.

You may have seen reports this week that a team at MIT is developing so-called "4D printing" technology, which would go far beyond current 3D printing technology's capacity to print three-dimensional objects with a machine. This team has stated that its fourth "D" involves objects self-assembling. I want to assure…